High-profile Ireland Funds dinner poses risks for Taoisigh

The Ireland Funds dinner, a high-profile event in Washington, D.C., takes place tonight, featuring a $1,000 per plate cost. This annual fundraiser supports Irish charities and has been associated with misfortunes for past Taoisigh, including Micheál Martin. Micheál Martin recently met with U.S. President Donald Trump, but he faces pressure as he prepares for the dinner. Previous attendees, like Leo Varadkar, experienced unexpected events during their speeches, including pandemic-related emergencies. Tonight's event will be hosted by Catríona Perry and will honor U.S. Congressman Brendan Boyle, among others. Martin hopes for a smoother experience this year after facing challenges at past dinners, including testing positive for Covid-19 in 2022.